You’ve learned one scale position. Now you’ve learned another. But how do you connect them? That’s what switchbacks do. They’re small groups of three descending notes that overlap, and they let you jump between positions without awkward jumps.
This is lesson 2 in the series.
Building the Switchback Pattern
We’re in A minor. The B string carries the melody. The E string stays open as a drone. Start at the 15th fret and descend: 15-13-12. That’s your first group. Now go back up to 13 and descend again: 13-12-10. Then back up to 12 and descend: 12-10-8. Keep going all the way to open. Every group overlaps the last one.
You’re using both pentatonic and diatonic minor notes. Pick each note individually, or try harmonic picking where your fingers and pick work together on different strings.
Joining Two Scale Positions
Here’s where it gets smart. Switchbacks connect the root 6 A minor diatonic at the 5th fret to the root 5 position at the 12th fret. A six-bar solo uses switchbacks to bridge that gap. It’s not just technique—it’s a way to build a solo.
The Riffs You’re Building
Riff 1 starts with a one-tone bend at the 15th fret, then descends using switchbacks. Riff 2 uses a string stretch on the 3rd string at the 7th fret, then hammers back up. Both riffs sound connected because switchbacks do the work.
This concept lives in the Riff Trix course at riffninja.com/rifftrix. Once you master switchbacks, you’ll see how to weave between scale shapes.
Explore more with our complete guitar riffs library. You’ll want to check out drone note riffs, dive into vertical solo riffs, and discover the E major riff trick.
